When you are young,

Having a body is taken for granted.

Even if it’s not the one you think you want.

Even if its demands for food and sex and staying warm drive you crazy.

Even when it gets sick or tired or drunk.

It’s there, it’s you, you get around.

You brain tells you it won’t last forever, but your heart doesn’t feel it.

Somewhere along the many streets you walk,

The roads you drive,

The meals you eat,

The passionate couplings you enjoy,

Somewhere, despite the songs you sing and the dreams you dream,

Your body begins to let you down,

To turn on you,

To ache and moan and protest against itself.

And there’s nothing you can take for granted

Anymore.

It’s all slipping away…

1/23/11